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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Hurricane Preparedness

Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County

Physical Address:

Milton Location
5527 Stewart St.
Milton, FL, 32570
850-983-5200

Monday–Friday
8 a.m.–5 p.m.


Each year, an average of eleven tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Being prepared for a hurricane includes taking action before a hurricane strikes to lessen the damage and personal danger these storms can cause. You can take precautions long before a storm arrives to minimize the damage a hurricane can do to your possessions and improve your chances of coming through the storm safely.

The Health Department's Role

The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) works closely with Santa Rosa County Emergency Management to coordinate the response to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, flooding, and large communicable disease outbreaks, etc. Joint community efforts are necessary to ensure the safety of food and water supplies during the disaster and recovery phase as well as availability of public information as it pertains to the community's health after a disaster.

Emergency Kits

Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family to have a plan that includes the "All Hazards Approach." To help you and your family prepare for a natural disaster like a hurricane, this FEMA: How to Prepare for a Hurricane guide recommends having an emergency kit that will sustain an individual for a week or more. Visit their website and click on Resources to find information on how to prepare your family’s emergency kit, including ways to ensure you will have enough prescription medications for a week or more.

NWFLAAA - 2021 Disaster Resource Guide for Older Adults

Shelter Information 

Public Shelters

Shelters are provided for public use when emergency evacuation becomes necessary and if you have no other place to go. The Santa Rosa County Emergency Management website has information concerning local shelters. Click hereto see a map of shelters and evacuation routes in Santa Rosa County.

Special Needs Shelter

Special Needs Shelters should be considered a last resort. For information about Special Needs Shelters and who is qualified for sheltering, go to the Special Needs FAQ section of the Santa Rosa County Emergency Management website.

Pre-registering is required for a Special Needs Shelter. DOH-Santa Rosa reviews the medical portion of the application to assign the most appropriate shelter to meet the applicant's needs. To register, go to the application section of the Santa Rosa County Emergency Management website.

Pet Friendly Shelter

A pet-friendly shelter is available for county residents who wish to shelter with their cat or dog. To utilize the pet friendly shelter, all pets must have proof of current vaccinations. The only pets allowed in the shelter are cats and dogs. Upon arrival at the shelter pictures will be taken of pets with their owners. Pet owners must stay at the shelter, and will be responsible for caring for their pet and bringing a pet disaster kit. Pet disaster kits should be prepared now, as there may not be time to do so when a disaster hits. For more information on what to include in your pet disaster kit and how to register for the Pet Friendly Shelter, please visit the Santa Rosa County Emergency Management's pet friendly shelters Web page.

Links 

Hurricane Preparedness Websites:

    Florida Hurricane Preparedness

    Family Readiness

    After Storm Preparedness

Weather Information and Hurricane Tracking Websites:

    National Hurricane Center

    The Weather Channel

Planning for Your Pet Websites:

   FloridaDisaster.org - Planning for your Pet

    Register your pet for the Pet Friendly Shelter

    Pet Friendly Shelter Use Agreement (PDF-43KB)

Sheltering Information Websites:

    American Red Cross and Shelters (Northwest Florida)

    Santa Rosa County Special Needs Program

    Santa Rosa County Hurricane Shelters

Community Disaster Preparedness Websites:

    Florida Department of Emergency Management

    Florida Citizen Emergency Information

    Santa Rosa County Emergency Management

Business Disaster Planning Websites:

    Florida Department of Emergency Management

*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files.